Toggle-type latch



, y 3, 1967 o. s. STOLLMAN 3,321,230

TOGGLE-TYPE LATCH v Filed Dec. 30, 1964 INVEN Toe b Oscar' .SZollmcm,

Q'Hfy United States Patent 3,321,230 TOGGLE-TYPE LATCH Oscar S. Stollman, Highland Park, Ill. Seasontite glgggigering, 5475 Northwest Highway, Chicago, Ill.

Filed Dec. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 422,335 9 Claims. (Cl. 292-113) This invention relates to a latch of the toggle type. More particularly, it has reference to a latch of this class characterized in that when opening or closing force is applied to the actuator in one plane the resultant latching force is exerted in a plane perpendicular thereto.

A latch of the foregoing character finds one important field of application in connection with an article of luggage where, for esthetic or practical reasons, the latch assembly is caused to take an elongated form with the longer dimension of the latch desirably aligned with the plane of separation between the two parts of the article, for example, where the latch is received in a channel defined in the mating halves of a valance located at such plane of separation. However, the invention is to be understood as related to the latch per se, apart from its environment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latch which is so constructed .and arranged that the latching force is exerted against at least one inclined plane, whereby to be translated into a wedging action, and whereby the two parts of the latch are brought together with substantially greater force than has heretofore been possible in devices where the longer dimension of the latch is to be aligned with the plane of separation of the two parts being latched.

A further object is to provide a latch as aforesaid, which is adapted to being formed of sheet metal by punch and die operations, thereby to provide greater strength and accuracy at lower cost than in the case of die-cast parts which, in many cases, require machining operations and which possess relatively low strength.

Additional objects are to provide a latch as aforesaid, which may be fabricated in a quite compact form, whereby the same is enhanced esthetically and more readily incorporated in a channel-type valance in flush relation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the ensuing description which, taken with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred form in which the principles of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In this drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of luggage with a pair of the invention latches incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the latch which, if desired, is completely reversible when installed, or which may be fabricated left and right;

- FIG. 3 is a perspective view, greatly enlarged, of a portion of FIG. 1, with a portion broken away for clarity, and in open position;

FIG. 4 is a combined side elevation and cross section of the showing of FIG. 3, but closed; the unlatched condition being indicated by broken lines;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross section similar to FIG. 6 to show a modified form; and

FIG. 8 is a cross section similar to FIG. 6, to show another modified form.

Broadly regarded, the invention comprises a principal sub-assembly carrying the moving parts including a base mounted on one of the two parts to be latched, e.g., the

body of an article of luggage, and a strike mounted on the other of said two parts. In a preferred form, the subassembly and strike are each provided with an inclined surface for slidable engagement with cooperative elements on the toggle whereby, upon actuation of the toggle, the inclined surfaces are drawn together in a direction at right angles to the plane of separation of the two parts to be latched. Preferably, the inclined surface is inclined in two directions in order that the latching action resembles the function of a dovetail joint whereby not only are the latched parts drawn together with considerable force but the toggle positively retained in latching position. Alternatively, one of the sub-assembly and strike may be provided with a pin engaging the inclined surface of the toggle, or this alternative may be combined with the first mentioned arrangement. The toggle is pivoted at one end on an actuator or handle which is, in turn, pivoted on the base in order that the toggle may have movement imparted thereto in two principal directions, one a swivelling movement, and the other a translational movement as is the case with toggle latches of well-known types. However, since the principal be haviour of the toggle is in a translational sense, and its swivelling action more or less incidental to the function of the invention latch, movement of the toggle to effect latching and unlatching will sometimes be referred to as substantially translational. The actuator may be biased with a spring to maintain the same in unlatched position, as is well known.

Reverting now to the drawing, there is shown, by way of example, FIGS. 1 and 2, a latch 10' in accordance with the invention, comprising a sub-assembly including base 12 desirably punched and formed of sheet steel secured to one of the valance sections 14 by screws,

r bolts or rivets 15. The valance section 14 and its cornpanion 18 may be of a common type and are shown exemplificatively as elongated members crirnped to the lid 21 and body 22 respectively, of a piece of luggage, which are hinged in the customary manner. At this juncture it will be understood that the terms lid, body and hinged are descriptive for purposes of illustration, and not limitative, since the two parts of the luggage article may be equal in capacity and, in some cases, may not be hinged or the hinge is separable, as for example, a box for containing some piece of equipment, etc., where the two latched sections are adapted to be completely separable and latches are provided on opposite sides or on all four sides.

The essentially fiat base 12 is provided with a pair of struck-out ears 23-23, each having a laterally-extending pivot 25 which, though shown as cylindrical, may be rectangular in section, to rotatably engage bores 27-27 in the opposite sides 28-28 of an actuator 31. This latter is desirably also punched and formed from sheet metal and includes a body 32 from which the :mentioned sides 28-28 may be bent. The inner edge of the actuator 31 is provided with a lug 35 adapted to bear on the distal end of a leaf spring 36 secured to the base 12 whereby the actuator may be biased to the position shown in FIG. 3 pending closing of the latch.

On a horizontal axis spaced some suitable distance from the common axis of the pivots 25-25, there is loosely pivoted a latch member or toggle 41. This latter is desirably of boxlike form including a top 42, sides 43-43, and a front 44, these several components defining a space within which upwardly protruding elements of the base 12 (to be described) are accommodated. The sides 43-43 have extensions 47-47 pivotally connected to the sides 28-28 of the actuator 31 by pins 51-51.

A strike 52 (FIG. 2) is secured to the other valance section 18 by screws 53. Each of the base 12 and strike 52 is provided with a doubly inclined element, 55 and 55, respectively, one being the mirror image of the other. Viewed in plan (FEG. 2), the active surfaces 57 and 53 are inclined toward a common point in the plane P separating the valance sections lidand 18. Preferably, the compound slope of the surfaces 57 and 58 is the same and may, in one sense, be regarded as disposed on the respective sides of an isosceles triangle of which the aforesaid point is the apex. Viewed endwise (FIG. these surfaces are inclined upwardly and outwardly.

The toggle 41 is provided with oppositely disposed triangular elements 61-41 at the corners defined by the sides 43-43 and the end 44 thereof. The slope of the hypotenuse surfaces 62-62 is preferably the same as that of the elements 55 and 56 as measured in any horizontal plane thereof. Thus, when the actuator 31 and toggle 4-1 are in the unlatched position (full lines in FIG. 3), the toggle may be brought down (broken lines in FIG. 4) to position the surfaces 62-62 opposite the surfaces 57 and 58, whereupon initial swinging of the actuator 31 clockwise will draw the former beneath and against the latter, while continued swinging toward the latched position (FIG. 4) will force these surfaces into fully engaged relation. The net effect is the drawing of the sub-assembly and strike, and the case parts 21 and 22 to which they are respectively attached, into their latched relation with the substantial force available from the toggle action. By virtue of the doubly-inclined nature of the elements 55 and 56 there is a downward force component reliably retaining the toggle and actuator locked in their latched condition. It will have become apparent that the force drawing the two latched parts of the case together has a direction parallel to the pivotal axis of the toggle.

If desired, the screws 53 may be passed through elongated holes in the strike 52 whereby the degree of wedging action between the toggle 41 and the elements 55 and 56 may be readily adjusted.

From FIG. 4 it will be observed that when the latch is in its latching position, the upper surfaces of the actuator 3i and toggle 41 are in flush relation whereby esthetic considerations may be satisfied. Moreover, it will be seen that the free end of the actuator 31 is so constructed as to permit easy access by a finger to pivot the same to the unlatched position of FIG. 3. It will also be apparent that the invention latch may be fabricated to narrow dimensions whereby not only may the same be readily received in appropriate depressed portions of the valance sections but, if desired, the entire latch may be installed in flush relation therewith.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative construction wherein the inclined elements 55 and 56 are replaced by headed pins 55:: and 56a engageable by the members 6l61. In this case the lateral latching force is exerted against the shanks and/ or the heads of said pins and retention of the toggle 41 against inadvertent dislodgement is assured by the heads of said pins.

The modification of FIG. 8 combines an inclined element, such as 55, with a pin, such as 56a. The function is similar to that heretofore described.

It will have become evident that the invention latch lends itself admirably to fabrication from light-weight, inexpensive, sheet metal stampings which, being of extremely simple construction, result in a device having a long, trouble-free life. Moreover, the form of the actuator 31 is such that a lock may be quite readily incorporated therein.

While I have shown particular embodiments of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A toggle-type latch comprising a base secured to one of the parts to be latched, an actuator mounted at one end on a pivotal axis on said base for movement between latched and unlatched positions, a toggle mounted at one end on a parallel pivotal axis on said actuator, whereby pivotal movement of said actuator between said positions imparts a substantially translational movement to said toggle, said axes being perpendicular to the plane of separation of said parts, a strike secured to the other of the parts to be latched, each of said base and strike having opposite portions having surfaces which, at the intersection therewith of any horizontal plane, correspond substantially to the sloping sides of an isosceles triangle having its apex substantially in the plane of separation of said parts and its base toward said first pivotal axis, said toggle having a pair of oppositely-positioned, inclined surfaces for sliding engagement with respective ones of said baseand strike-surfaces when the actuator is moved to latching position, whereby translational movement of the toggle pursuant to pivotal movement of the actuator draws said surfaces into abutment to force said parts into latched relation.

2. A toggle-type latch comprising a base secured to one of the parts to be latched, an actuator mounted at one end on said base on a pivotal axis for movement between latched and unlatched positions, a toggle mounted at one end on said actuator on a pivotal axis parallel to said first axis, said axes being perpendicular to the plane of separation of the parts whereby pivotal movement of said actuator between said positions imparts substantially translational movement to said toggle, said axes being perpendicular to the plane of separation of said parts, a strike secured to the other of the parts to be latched, each of said base and strike having an inclined surface portion, said portions being converged to a common point beyond the free end of the toggle and substantially in the plane of separation of said parts, and means at the free end of said toggle adapted, when the toggle is moved to latching position, to engage said surface portions in a wedging relation drawing the same together in a direction parallel to said pivotal axes.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means comprises a pair of inclined surfaces each having a slope substantially congruent with the slope of associated ones of said inclined surface portions when the same are engaged, for sliding engagement therewith.

4. A toggle-type latch comprising a base secured to one of the parts to be latched, an actuator pivotally mounted at one end to said base, a toggle mounted on a pivotal axis at one end on said actuator, said axes being perpendicular to the plane of separation of the parts whereby pivotal movement of said actuator between latched and unlatched positions imparts substantially translational movement to said toggle, a strike secured to the other of the parts to be latched, each of said base and strike having a pin comprising a shank and head, said toggle having a pair of portions each having an active surface, the respective surfaces being mutually inclined toward a point lying substantially in the plane of separation of the parts and beyond the free end of the toggle whereby, when said toggle is moved to latching position, respective ones of said surfaces engage respective ones of said pins and urge said pins into closer relation whereby the latched parts are drawn into latched relation in a direction parallel to said pivotal axes.

5. A toggle-type latch comprising a base secured to one of the parts to be latched, an actuator mounted at one end on a pivotal axis on said base, a toggle mounted on a pivotal axis at one end of said actuator, said axes being perpendicular to the plane of separation of the parts, whereby ivotal movement of said actuator between latched and unlatched positions imparts substantially translational movement to said toggle, a strike secured to the other of the parts to be latched, said toggle being generally of box-like form having at least one open side confronting said parts, said toggle being provided at its free end and on the open face with a pair of opposite inclined members, each of said base and strike having a projection adapted to be engaged slidably by respective ones of said members when the toggle is actuated to latching position, the inclination of said members being in such relation to the projections and direction of latching movement of the toggle as to bias said projections into closer adjacency to draw said parts into tightly latched relation.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said projections each comprise an inclined surface portion for substantial abutting relation with respective ones of said members.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said projections each comprise a doubly-inclined surface portion and said members are singly inclined substantially parallel to said surface portions whereby, upon movement of the toggle to latching position, said members are inter-related with said projections in the manner of a dovetail to provide a lateral force drawing the latched parts together and a vertical force retaining the toggle in latched position.

8. A toggle-type latch comprising a base secured to one of the parts to be latched, an actuator mounted on a pivotal axis at one end on said base, a toggle pivotally mounted at one end on said actuator, said axes being perpendicular to the plane of separation of the parts, where by pivotal movement of said actuator between latched and unlatched positions imparts substantially translational movement to said toggle, a strike secured to the other of the parts to be latched, said base and strike being respectively provided with an element having a surface which is upwardly and outwardly inclined, and said toggle being provided with a pair of surfaces engageable with respective ones of the surfaces of said elements, said toggle surfaces being mutually convergent toward a point beyond the free end of the toggle whereby, upon movement of the toggle to latching position, the doubly-inclined baseand strike-surfaces are engaged by the toggle surfaces to exert two forces, one force acting perpendicularly to the plane of separation of the parts to draw the same together and the other force acting normally thereto to retain the toggle and actuator in latching condition.

9. A toggle-type latch comprising a base secured to one of the parts to be latched, an actuator mounted on a pivotal axis at one end on said base, a toggle pivotally mounted at one end on said actuator, said axes being perpendicular to the plane of separation of the parts, whereby pivotal movement of said actuator between latching and unlatching positions imparts substantially translational movement to said toggle, a strike secured to the other of the parts to be latched, said base and strike each being provided with doubly-inclined formations and said toggle being provided with inclined formations arranged, when the toggle is in latchingg condition, to abut. respective ones of said first formations in the manner of a double-dovetail joint to exert one force on the parts normal to the plane of separation thereof drawing said parts together and another force normal to the plane of the toggle resisting accidental opening of the toggle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,008,320 11/1961 Cheney 292-113 X 3,031,874 5/1962 Levine 70 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. EDWARD C. ALLEN, Examiner. J. R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TOGGLE-TYPE LATCH COMPRISING A BASE SECURED TO ONE OF THE PARTS TO BE LATCHED, AN ACTUATOR MOUNTED AT ONE END ON A PIVOTAL AXIS ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN LATCHED AND UNLATCHED POSITIONS, A TOGGLE MOUNTED AT ONE END ON A PARALLEL PIVOTAL AXIS ON SAID ACTUATOR, WHEREBY PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR BEWEEN SAID POSITIONS IMPARTS A SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSLATIONAL MOVEMENT TO SAID TOGGLE, SAID AXES BEING PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SEPARATION OF SAID PARTS, A STRIKE SECURED TO THE OTHER OF THE PARTS TO BE LATCHED, EACH OF SAID BSE AND STRIKE HAVING OPPOSITE PORTIONS HAVING SURFACES WHICH, AT THE INTERSECTION THEREWITH OF ANY HORIZONTAL PLANE, CORRESPOND SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE SLOPING SIDES OF AN ISOSCELES TRIANGLE HAVING ITS APEX SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLANE OF SEPARATION OF SAID PARTS AND ITS BASE TOWARD SAID FIRST PIVOTAL AXIS, SAID TOGGLE HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY-POSITIONED, INCLINED SURFACES FOR SLIDING ENGAGEMENT WITH RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID BASE- AND STRIKE-SURFACES WHEN THE ACTUATOR IS MOVED TO LATCHING POSITION, WHEREBY TRANSLATIONAL MOVEMENT OF THE TOGGLE PURSUANT TO PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATOR DRAWS SAID SURFACES INTO ABUTMENT TO FORCE SAID PARTS INTO LATCHED RELATION. 